2015-Evening Garden Planting at Harvard Gulch Park

Start Date-End Date: 05/28/2015-05/28/2015 Land Manager Office: Grow Local Colorado Land Manager Contact: Barbara Masoner Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: Registration for this opportunity is FULL. If you register, you will be placed on the wait list. As space becomes available, we will move individuals off the wait list. Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE Not to be overlooked due to its proximity to Washington Park and Platte Park, the spacious Harvard Gulch Park boasts meandering walkways and rolling hills that cut through a lush landscape. The park offers plenty of open space for running, volleyball, and various other recreational opportunities. It's namesake creek cuts through the park's south end. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK This project is one of several in which we will be partnering with Grow Local Colorado to plant vegetable gardens whose purpose is to demonstrate the beauty of edible gardens, engage community participation, and inspire Denver residents to grow their own vegetable gardens. In addition, all produce will be donated to local organizations including local food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. Volunteer work will be fun, easy, and child-friendly. Tasks will involve preparing the garden beds, weeding, working the soil, and planting vegetable seeds and seedlings. Free dinner will be provided. PARTNERS Grow Local Colorado Latitude/Longitude: 39.673057, -104.979045 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 15 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 8 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 8 Total Volunteer Days: 16 Total Unique Volunteers: 16 Total Volunteer Hours: 32 Staff Hours: 5 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On the evening of Thursday, May 28th, 16 volunteers came out to plant a community garden at Harvard Gulch Park with VOC and Grow Local Colorado. There were 8 master gardeners from the CSU-Extension program, who were on hand to plant alongside volunteers, and answer any questions they had about gardening and plants. The volunteers flew through the work, and planted 1600 sq feet of garden space with lettuce, beets, butternut squash, tomatoes, and flowers. The free Chipotle was enjoyed by all at the end of the project. Successes and Challenges: We had a lot of bodies for the small garden, but everyone had a fun time. There was a brownie troop, a few other volunteers, VOC staff/interns, GLC staff/interns, and the master gardeners. Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Provided by VOC and Grow Local Colorado staff, and the Master Gardeners of CSU-Extension. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: